It is August 1913 and English actor Lysander Rief has traveled to Vienna to seek treatment for his "condition". Lysander is quite nervous and taken aback when he arrives to Dr. Bensimon's office for his appointment and is greeted by a harried Ms. Hettie Bull. Ms. Bull is frantic that she must get in to see the doctor and begs Lysander to let her jump ahead of him. Lysander being the ever gentleman of course allows this. Once Lysander meets Dr. Bensimon and is sitting in the office the reality of it weighs on him. Being trained by Dr. Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bensimon explains the techniques used on treating his patients and they begin.

Lysander takes him time revealing his "condition" and seems unnerved while doing so. We learn that he is engaged to be married to a beautiful actress but before he can marry her he needs to be cured. As it turns out that Lysander's condition is one of a sexual nature. Lysander is able to become aroused but unable to finish the deed. Dr. Bensimon asks that Lysander get a journal and keep track of all his thoughts. While at the shop purchasing the journal Lysander bumps into Ms. Bull who invites him to a gathering. Lysander is put off by her but finds that he cannot say no.

Lysander meets Ms. Bull and her common law husband at the event and Ms. Bull asks Lysander to meet her at her workshop. Lysander feels that his treatment is going well and he decides no harm can be had by meeting her. Once at Ms. Hettie Bull's workshop she asks him to model for her and he agrees, then she asks that he do so nude and that as they say was that. Hettie seduces Lysander and once swept up in passion Lysander discovers Dr. Bensimon has cured him and for once Lysander "finishes".

WAITING FOR SUNRISE is Lysander Rief's story and his life during the First World War. Lysander's brief but fervent affair with Hettie is the catalyst in a series of unfortunate events. Once Lysander is back in London he had hoped things would return to their normal and quiet state. Unfortunately with the war around him the events from Vienna catch up with him and his is put on a tumultuous journey as a spy for his country.

WAITING FOR SUNRISE is brilliantly written by William Boyd who has a knack for story-telling. I found myself riveted to the page wondering what could possibly happen to poor Lysander next!